Research Assistant (1 year)

IRC93150

A 1-year research assistant position is available at the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London to work within the Genes and Metabolism Section.

We are looking for a highly-motivated postdoc to join an innovative study on the genes and pathways underlying human memory and learning. The post offers a chance to join a profile project at an advanced stage of development, and with a strong likelihood of high impact publication in the near term. The specific project will involve the functional characterization of a newly identified gene, which has been recently discovered by Dr Petretto’s group using systems-genetic approaches to the human brain and has a potential key role in modulating memory performance and cognition impairment. You will be working in between several groups of the MRC Section (Petretto, Miguel-Aliaga, De Paola, Ungless) and Division of Brain Sciences (Johnson) to perform crucial experiments required to establish the functional role of the gene and finalize the study towards a high-impact publication.

You will hold a Ph.D. degree in life sciences or equivalent and have experience in relevant disciplines including molecular and/or cell biology or molecular neuroscience. A strong background in molecular and/or cellular neurophysiology or in the use of Drosophila as a model system would be highly valued.

Proven publication record, with at least one first author publication in a peer-reviewed international journal is essential, as well as expertise in molecular genetics and in vitro cell culture. Previous experience working with primary cells (neurons), synaptic physiology in acute or cultured brain slices or cultured neurons and familiarity with transgenic model systems is an advantage.

The Clinical Sciences Centre (CSC) is an institute funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and is a division of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London, a thriving research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, including computing clusters and state-of-the-art genomics facilities.

Applications are handled by the RCUK Shared Services Centre. To apply, please click the APPLY button below, and submit a CV and cover letter, saving the documents with reference number IRC93150 included in the filename.
Applicants who would like to receive this advert in an alternative format (e.g. large print, Braille, audio or hard copy), or who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on 01793 867003, please quote reference number IRC93150.

For informal enquiries regarding the post please contact Dr Enrico Petretto via email (enrico.petretto@csc.mrc.ac.uk).

Closing date: 14^th May 2013